I thought the cartoon above was funny when I first saw it, years ago.
But it’s been popping up in my mind in many situations ever since.
I realized this cartoon is profound. Because these three simple panels show real fundamental truth, not just about dogs, but about people, too.
A truth about so many situations in life.
When you have one thing…
And you also want the other thing. But you can’t get the other thing without letting go of the thing you already have.
And if somebody offers you the thing you want…. at the cost of the thing you have… you react.
“No meddle! Only help”
For example, this is my explanation for what I talked about in my post yesterday, of why so many people reflexively hate advertising.
People might want the thing you’re advertising. Six-pack abs. A million-dollar paycheck. Total self-acceptance.
But they’re not willing to let go of the ball they are gripping between their teeth. The ball that holds their self-image… their feeling of control… their sense of meaning and consistency in their lives.
I’m not sure how to end this post, except to tell you to keep the cartoon above in mind, the way I’ve done for years.
And when you see people retreating from you, even though you have something they really do want…
Realize that, like dogs, human beings are conflicted. So take the attitude of the adult who can give them what they want… without making them feel they are losing something else as they get it.
And if you want regular other ideas to help you influence people, at no cost to your self-image, feeling of control, or your sense of consistency in life… then you might like my regular email newsletter.